Patterson sweep leads to 8 arrests

PATTERSON -- The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department SWAT team served search warrants at three homes near Las Palmas Elementary School on Tuesday and arrested eight people on drug-related charges.

At about 5 a.m., the SWAT team and Patterson detectives went to the homes in the 500 block of Las Palmas Avenue to search for evidence of narcotic sales, according to a press release from the Sheriff's Department.

The search warrants were served in the early morning hours to avoid traffic congestion and because of safety concerns about nearby schools.

The press release indicated evidence of drug sales was found inside all three homes, but a sheriff's spokesman did not know what that evidence was.

Detectives detained more than 20 people who were found inside the homes.

One of the houses had no utilities and previously was declared vacant.

Some people were questioned and later released or given citations, but eight people were arrested and taken to jail.

The following people face criminal charges:

• Babette Spears, 41, of Patterson; possession of a controlled substance and a probation violation.

• Frank Minjarez, 46, of Patterson; possession of marijuana for sale, possession of heroin, and sales of narcotics near a school.

• Jose Ramos, 53, of Patterson; possession of heroin and sales of narcotics near a school.

• Alma Quintero, 20, of Newman; possession of heroin.

• Gabriel Minjarez, 18, of Patterson; possession of marijuana for sale.

• Claralyn Smith, 37, of Patterson; possession of controlled substance for sale, possession of heroin and sales of narcotics near a school.

• Luis Figueroa, 29, of Patterson; possession of a controlled substance and a probation violation.

• Pedro Palafox, 25, of Patterson; possession of a controlled substance and a probation violation.

• Marisol Hernandez 21, of Patterson; cited and released for a probation violation.

Anyone with information about this investigation can call Detective David Hickman at (209) 892-5071. You can also leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Tipsters can also e-mail tips at www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus the message and be eligible for a cash reward.